Our history

We called ourselves wavemakers. And almost 60 years on, we’re still making waves.

We started in 1964 when the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences established the Danish Institute of Applied Hydraulics. An independent, not-for-profit institution, we later became known as DHI. Over the years, we’ve grown from a handful of passionate wave modellers in Denmark to a 1000-strong organisation developing solutions in more than 140 countries, wherever you find water.

In 1969, we developed a pioneering method to produce irregular waves in hydraulic model testing using a direct reproduction of measured time series from nature. The prevalent approach was to use regular waves, which weren't a true representation of how natural waves behave. This resulted in our first irregular wave generator – a major step forward in hydraulic modelling.

And so it’s true: Innovation is in our DNA. And it will continue to be as we look towards the future.

DHI Timeline
1964
Danish Institute of Applied Hydraulics
Danish Institute of Applied Hydraulics
The Danish Academy of Technical Sciences established the Danish Institute of Applied Hydraulics (Vandbygningsinstituttet), which later became known as DHI.
Wave makers
1969
Wave makers
We developed a pioneering method for the production of irregular waves in hydraulic model testing using a direct reproduction of measured time series from nature. This led to the development of our first irregular wave generator – a major step forward in hydraulic modelling.
1970
International focus
International focus
We've understood the importance of having a global perspective since the 1970s. Soon after we were established, we began working on a number of projects in other countries to gain experience solving water-related challenges outside of Denmark.
Computational hydraulics
1971
Computational hydraulics
With a contribution from the Danish Research Council, we created the Computational Hydraulics Centre (CHC), a special unit within DHI that focused on the development of numerical modelling software. By the late 1970s, CHC developed the core numerical engines for the tools that would later become our MIKE Powered by DHI software.
1985
MIKE by DHI
MIKE by DHI
The work of the CHC led to the development of modelling software that could accommodate a large range of possible situations within one area of application. Previously, this software could only run on large mainframe computers. With the advances in microcomputers, however, we began developing numerical modelling software that could run on personal computers – later named MIKE.
Globalisation and UNEP-DHI
1996
Globalisation and UNEP-DHI
The success of MIKE led to the creation of an advisory market and we began opening offices around the world. In many cases, we hired the sales agents who sold our MIKE software in their home countries and welcomed them to the DHI family.

The same year, we established the UNEP-DHI Centre on Water and Environment, a United Nations Environment Programme centre of expertise dedicated to improving the management, development and use of freshwater resources from the local to the global level.
2000
Ecological modelling and remote sensing
Ecological modelling and remote sensing
In the 1990s, the Ecological Modelling Centre (EMC) was set up through a collaboration with the Institute for Water Environment (VKI). Our merger with VKI in the 2000s enabled us to offer a holistic approach to solving water challenges related to hydrology, groundwater and agriculture.

DHI's Earth Observation knowledge hub, a cooperation between University of Copenhagen and DHI, was started in year 2000. The main purpose was to apply the science of satellite remote sensing to create and disseminate knowledge and services to a wider audience.
Health and toxicology
2005
Health and toxicology
We were already looking at the impact of toxic chemicals on the environment. This is closely related to the impact of toxic chemicals on humans, which was the focus area of the Danish Toxicology Centre (DTC). Our merger with DTC in 2005 brought together these complementary competencies, enabling us to further develop and build our ecotoxicology expertise.
2006
Global R&D
Global R&D
Approximately a third of our business focuses on research and development. We set up our first major research hub outside of Denmark in Singapore to ensure that the knowledge gained from our research efforts is spread throughout our organisation.
MIKE Powered by DHI
2015
MIKE Powered by DHI
MIKE CUSTOMISED by DHI was developed in 2008 to address the needs of DHI’s clients dealing with more and more data and complex decision-making processes. In 2015, MIKE by DHI and MIKE CUSTOMISED by DHI technologies were merged into one global brand: MIKE Powered by DHI.
2018
Our first Operational Service: Seaport OPX
Our first Operational Service: Seaport OPX
DHI’s Operational Services are real-time optimisation and management platforms customised for our clients’ businesses. In 2018, Seaport OPX – specialist provider of digital port solutions – paved the way for the development of more operational services such as Future City Flow, MIKE Mine and TwinPlant.
DHI+
2021
DHI+
We launched our new DHI+ strategy led by CEO Mette Vestergaard, focusing on 1. Making an impact on the sustainable development of the planet, 2. Leveraging technology and innovation to provide unique advisory services, and 3. Growing within nine market segments within four global areas.